If you’ve watched more than five minutes of San Antonio Spurs basketball this season, you already know that the Defensive Player of the Year race isn’t a race, it’s a coronation. Victor Wembanyama has officially turned the NBA’s premier defensive award into a formality, building a case so undeniable it feels almost unfair to everyone else.
After a 2024-25 season that saw him flirt with top-tier status before injuries stepped in, Wemby has returned as a 7-foot-4 nightmare, leading the league in blocks and, more importantly, making the Spurs a top-tier defensive team. With odds placing him as the heavy favorite for the award as of late February, here are five reasons why Wembanyama is the undisputed 2026 Defensive Player of the Year.
Why Victor Wembanyama is the Defensive Player of the Year
1. The “Teleportation” Block Ability
It’s not just that he blocks shots, it’s how he does it. We’ve seen him grab double-digit games with five-plus blocks for the third straight season, but by 2026, he has mastered the art of timing. He’s not just sitting in the paint, he is actively erasing shots from the perimeter and then appearing under the rim in the same possession. In a recent game against the Los Angeles Lakers, he reminded everyone that he can shut down perimeter stars and then immediately recover to block a center. His ability to cover ground, moving from the paint to the three-point line in two strides, means he is effectively defending two positions at once.
2. He’s Revolutionized Rim Protection
When opponents see Wembanyama, they don’t just change their shots, they stop shooting entirely. As previously mentioned, he leads the entire league in blocks per game (2.8), but his actual impact is higher because so many players simply pass out of the paint when he’s lurking. He’s not just a shot blocker, he is a shot-deterrent, forcing opponents to take tough, mid-range shots rather than easy layups. The stats show the Spurs’ paint defense is practically airtight when he’s on the floor, allowing fewer than 1.05 points per possession.
3. The Wemby Effect on Team Success
For years, the DPOY award leaned heavily toward players on the best defensive teams. While San Antonio is young, Wembanyama has dragged them into the top-five defensive ranking conversation. When Wembanyama is on the court, the Spurs are roughly 10-15 points better per 100 possessions defensively compared to when he sits. He’s not just getting empty stats, his presence creates a winning culture, with the Spurs surging to a 41-16 record and threatening the top of the Western Conference.
4. Unmatched Versatility
Historically, block leaders were slow-footed centers who stayed near the rim. Wembanyama is essentially a giant guard. He is capable of guarding all five positions. In the 2025-26 season, he’s been shown consistently switching onto elite guards like Stephen Curry or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and not just holding his own, but forcing turnovers. He has the agility to navigate screens and the length to block shots from behind, making him the most versatile big man in modern NBA history.
5. Wemby Will Hit the 65-Game Threshold if He Remains Healthy
The only reason Wemby didn’t win this in 2025 was because his season was cut short. Wembanyama played 46 games, keeping him below the required 65-game threshold. In 2026, he’s on pace to play 68 games as long as he remains healthy for the remainder of the season. That is dangerously close to the minimum admittedly, but the Spurs have done an excellent job of taking care of Wembanyama since returning from injury earlier in the season and as long as he avoids another injury, he should be an absolute lock for the DOPY award.
Main Image: © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
